Derek Norman Rice

Norman attended Loughborough Training College from 1962 to 1965 to study Physical Education and Geography, achieving the College’s Diploma, with Honours, and a Teaching Certificate from Nottingham University at the completion of his course.  He played Football for the Colleges, and competed in Athletics - excelling at Triple Jump - for the Athletics Club.  During his final year he assumed the post of Honorary Secretary of the Athletics Club; amongst the variety of duties was the role of Organising Secretary of the LCAC Past and Present v AAA match, the forerunner of the present Loughborough Invitational Meet.

After graduating from Loughborough Norman continued his education, studying a BSc course in Economics at London University.  This period of study also concluded with an Honours award. It led to his first teaching appointment at John Fisher School, Purley, Surrey, where he spent three years as an Economics Teacher. During this time, he continued to compete as an athlete, being invited a number of times to return to Loughborough to compete against the AAA in the annual AAA Match.  He had become a member of Epsom and Ewell Harriers in 1957; it remained his one and only club until his death. While illness stopped him competing in 2019, he was still actively coaching juniors at the club until lockdown began in March 2020.

In 1971 he was appointed to Epsom College, Surrey, to inaugurate an Economics A Level course, and to teach and coach Games, especially Athletics and Rugby.  He remained a teacher at the College for an unprecedented forty-four years, during which time he took on many different roles, most notably: Head of Department, Housemaster, Senior Master and Deputy Headmaster. He also took on the role of Chief Examiner for the exam board, OCR. The countless number of students whose lives he impacted will attest to the huge legacy he leaves behind, particularly those who encountered him on the athletics track. Norman so loved his chosen profession that when he ‘retired’ from his Deputy Headship at age 60, he returned to the Economics classroom for a further 12 years, only finally choosing to retire in 2015. However, Norman never really left Epsom College, even in retirement he was an active member of the Epsom College ‘Old Epsomian’ Club and, more recently, was heavily involved in the work of the Education Trust.

Norman is survived by his wife, Carole, and their three daughters: Jennifer, Zoe (Loughborough Alum 2004-2007), and Danielle (Loughborough Alum 2010-2013).